A Deal with the Alpha Who Hates Me

Astrid's POV

I look at myself in the broken mirror of the storeroom, and tears sting my eyes. My neck, chest, arms, and legs are all covered in bruises. I couldn't sleep a second last night. The feeling of those creatures crawling on my skin haunted me like my worst nightmare. Sometimes, it still feels like they're still on me.

Tugging on my shirt sleeve, I walk toward his room. I knock, and a low grunt comes from inside. I step in, and there he stands in his suit and pants, his fingers busy adjusting his hair. He looks at me through the mirror and groans.

"You're not wearing that."

I look down at the loose pants and long shirt, saying nothing. He mind-links someone, and the next minute, Martha steps in with boxes in her hands.

"Go and change."

I pick up the boxes to leave for my room when he stops me. "Where are you going?"

"To my bathroom."

"Just change in mine. We don't have time."

I walk into his lavish bathroom and strip down to change. It's a yellow sundress that reaches below my knees. It has long sleeves, and I'm thankful for that, but the neckline shows the bruises on my neck clearly.

Walking out, I open the second box to find nude sneakers inside. Stepping into them, I cringe as my bruised feet brush against the leather. My fingers struggle with tying the shoelaces, and I'm taken down memory lane. Mom always did that for me. I wonder how she is, or if she misses me. Why hasn't anyone from home called? It's been weeks. Are they really happy to get rid of me?

Lost in thought, I don't realize when cold fingers wrap around my ankle. The next thing I know, my foot is tugged up to rest on a spotless suit pant. I look down in horror to find him kneeling in front of me, his strong fingers tying my shoelace effortlessly.

"You're really useless," he whispers, and I'm about to pull my foot back when his grip tightens on my ankle. He repeats the process for my second shoe, and I just sit there awkwardly, staring at his fingers.

He looks me up and down, then turns around to pull something from his drawer. "Move your hair aside."

I comply, and my body shivers as something cold touches my neck. My eyes snap up to look at him in horror. He stands just inches away, holding a strange tube in his hand.

"It's an antiseptic, doll. Stop moving."

Once he's done, I get up to hurry away from him. Picking up a silk scarf, I'm about to wrap it around my neck when he stops me.

"You're not covering them, doll. Remove it."

Is he crazy? "They'll see it and know you hurt me."

He smirks, stepping closer, and I clench my fists. "Aren't you naive, doll? Bruises aren't always a symbol of pain. Sometimes…" He stands behind me, sniffing a strand of my hair, and runs his cold knuckles down my bruised neck. "They also represent pleasure."

He whispers in my ear, and I stiffen. A shiver travels down my spine, and I slap his hand away, moving aside. An arrogant smirk lingers on his lips.

"Don't you think the Council should know how much love we shared last night? After all, you're now my wife." He laces the word "wife" with so much hate that I can't meet his eyes. I look away, and he offers me his hand almost gentlemanly.

"Shall we?"

We enter the drawing room, and my heart thuds as I see three of the most respected Elders sitting there, waiting.

"Good afternoon, Elders," Kael greets them, while I remain silent, my eyes fixed on my feet. I suddenly feel too conscious. How am I going to lie? I've never done it before. What if the Elders see through it? My thudding heart becomes audible in my ears. My hands turn shaky, and breathing suddenly becomes difficult. I have the urge to turn away and run.

When suddenly, warm fingers sneak into my freezing ones, and a strong grip grasps my clammy palm. My eyes snap up to meet Kael's.

"Relax, doll. I'm here."

He's smiling brilliantly, and for some unknown reason, my stupid heart clings to his words. His hand moves down to rest on my waist, and he pulls me closer, rubbing circles on my side. I find it oddly relaxing.

"Mrs. Astrid, it's a pleasure to meet you," one of the Elders says, smiling softly at me.

"Li… likewise, Elders. Hello."

I nod to everyone, and they all return my greeting. Kael tugs me along, and we settle on a sofa. I've never sat this close to him. Our thighs are touching, but he seems unbothered. His hand refuses to leave mine.

"How are you feeling now, Mrs. Astrid? We heard the news and came to check on you."

"I'm fine. Thank you for asking."

"Mrs. Astrid, if you don't mind me asking, what exactly happened?"

'Shoot. Here goes nothing.' I feel Kael stiffen beside me, and my mouth opens and closes. "I… I…"

I look up to find the Elders staring at Kael rather than me.

"Alpha, if you don't mind, we'd like to speak to Mrs. Astrid in private."

Kael's jaw hardens. He's resisting, but then he nods and withdraws his hand from mine. It's sick, I know, but I feel empty without his contact. He gets up to leave, and I don't know what possesses me. Before I know it, my hand latches onto his.

He looks back at me, surprised, and I gulp. "Sta…stay."

A strange emotion clouds his eyes. He looks back at the Elders, who wear similar expressions of shock.

"As you wish."

He lifts our intertwined hands and presses a kiss to my knuckles. It feels strange—this loving side of him is even scarier than his hatred. I never know what's coming next. He's utterly unpredictable.

He settles beside me and, with a strong tug, pulls me to his chest. Lifting me effortlessly, he places me in his lap.

"I can hear your thudding heart. Calm it down," he whispers, and I snuggle my face into his chest. The Elders can read facial expressions. I hate their eyes on me.

Kael moves my hair aside, exposing my neck, and the Elders gasp. Their eyes fix on the bruises.

"It seems you've both grown close in just a few days. It's unexpected, you know."

'Shit! We're overdoing it. Of course, they'd notice.'

Kael plays with a strand of my hair and whispers softly. His eyes look at me with such sincerity that I struggle to remind myself it's all a lie.

"I've come to realize that hate only causes bloodshed and chaos. Astrid here is as much a victim to what's happened as my late wife was. I don't blame her for her father's wrongdoings. And if you ask me genuinely… she's nothing like him. She's a real angel."

With that, the Elders' eyes soften, and my heart skips a beat. 'What the hell is happening?'